Monday, August 22, 2011

The WSJ blog notes that Justice Antonin Scalia will preside over a retrial of Texas v. White. This event will be sponsored by the Supreme Court’s Historical Society. This case centered on whether bond sales by the State of Texas, while part of the Confederate States of America, were valid. The Reconstruction government of Texas argued that these sales were invalid and that the holders of the bonds should turn them over to state authorities. The bond holders argued that simply because the state now had a new government, it could not undo all acts of the people’s representatives in a prior government.

The Court held that the sales of the bonds were invalid because the sales were in furtherance of a rebellion against the United States. In considering Texas’ place in the Union and the right of secession, the Court declared that the Union was perpetual and that no state has a right to dissolve it by a unilateral action.

What will be interesting in the mock trial is how Justice Scalia treats the fact that Texas was an independent republic until it joined the Union in 1845. Some, including Rick Perry, argue that this makes Texas different from the original 13 states and other states added thereafter. What they fail to realize is that all 13 states were independent republics before ratifying the Constitution of 1787.

Under the Treaty of Paris (1783), George III recognized that the individual states were now “free sovereign independent states, and that he treats with them as such.” The states of North Carolina and Rhode Island retained their complete independence and sovereignty until after the other 11 states ratified the Constitution and the federal government began operations. Had these two states not ratified, they would to this day be independent nations such as Great Britain and France are.

We’ll see if Justice Scalia buys into the false history that only Texas was once an independent republic.

Rick Perry has many ideas about how to change the American government's founding document. From ending lifetime tenure for federal judges to completely scrapping two whole amendments, the Constitution would see a major overhaul if the Texas governor and Republican presidential candidate had his druthers.

Perry laid out these proposed innovations to the founding document in his book, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington. He has occasionally mentioned them on the campaign trail. Several of his ideas fall within the realm of mainstream conservative thinking today, but, as you will see, there are also a few surprises.

1. Abolish lifetime tenure for federal judges by amending Article III, Section I of the Constitution.

The nation's framers established a federal court system whereby judges with "good behavior" would be secure in their job for life. Perry believes that provision is ready for an overhaul.

"The Judges," reads Article III, "both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."

Perry makes it no secret that he believes the judges on the bench over the past century have acted beyond their constitutional bounds. The problem, Perry reasons, is that members of the judiciary are "unaccountable" to the people, and their lifetime tenure gives them free license to act however they want. In his book, the governor speaks highly of plans to limit their tenure and offers proposals about how to accomplish it.

"'[W]e should take steps to restrict the unlimited power of the courts to rule over us with no accountability," he writes in Fed Up! "There are a number of ideas about how to do this . . . . One such reform would be to institute term limits on what are now lifetime appointments for federal judges, particularly those on the Supreme Court or the circuit courts, which have so much power. One proposal, for example, would have judges roll off every two years based on seniority."

2. Congress should have the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a two-thirds vote.

Ending lifetime tenure for federal justices isn't the only way Perry has proposed suppressing the power of the courts. His book excoriates at length what he sees as overreach from the judicial branch. (The title of Chapter Six is "Nine Unelected Judges Tell Us How to Live.")

Giving Congress the ability to veto their decisions would be another way to take the Court down a notch, Perry says.

"[A]llow Congress to override the Supreme Court with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, which risks increased politicization of judicial decisions, but also has the benefit of letting the people stop the Court from unilaterally deciding policy," he writes.

3. Scrap the federal income tax by repealing the Sixteenth Amendment.

The Sixteenth Amendment gives Congress the "power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." It should be abolished immediately, Perry says.

Calling the Sixteenth Amendment "the great milestone on the road to serfdom," Perry's writes that it provides a virtually blank check to the federal government to use for projects with little or no consultation from the states.

4. End the direct election of senators by repealing the Seventeenth Amendment.

Overturning this amendment would restore the original language of the Constitution, which gave state legislators the power to appoint the members of the Senate.

Ratified during the Progressive Era in 1913 , the same year as the Sixteenth Amendment, the Seventeenth Amendment gives citizens the ability to elect senators on their own. Perry writes that supporters of the amendment at the time were "mistakenly" propelled by "a fit of populist rage."

"The American people mistakenly empowered the federal government during a fit of populist rage in the early twentieth century by giving it an unlimited source of income (the Sixteenth Amendment) and by changing the way senators are elected (the Seventeenth Amendment)," he writes.

5. Require the federal government to balance its budget every year.

Of all his proposed ideas, Perry calls this one "the most important," and of all the plans, a balanced budget amendment likely has the best chance of passage.

"The most important thing we could do is amend the Constitution--now--to restrict federal spending," Perry writes in his book. "There are generally thought to be two options: the traditional 'balanced budget amendment' or a straightforward 'spending limit amendment,' either of which would be a significant improvement. I prefer the latter . . . . Let's use the people's document--the Constitution--to put an actual spending limit in place to control the beast in Washington."

A campaign to pass a balanced budget amendment through Congress fell short by just one vote in the Senate in the 1990s.

Last year, House Republicans proposed a spending-limit amendment that would limit federal spending to 20 percent of the economy. According to the amendment's language, the restriction could be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress or by a declaration of war.

6. The federal Constitution should define marriage as between one man and one woman in all 50 states.

Despite saying last month that he was "fine with" states like New York allowing gay marriage, Perry has now said he supports a constitutional amendment that would permanently ban gay marriage throughout the country and overturn any state laws that define marriage beyond a relationship between one man and one woman.

"I do respect a state's right to have a different opinion and take a different tack if you will, California did that," Perry told the Christian Broadcasting Network in August. "I respect that right, but our founding fathers also said, 'Listen, if you all in the future think things are so important that you need to change the Constitution here's the way you do it'.

In an interview with The Ticket earlier this month, Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said that even though it would overturn laws in several states, the amendment still fits into Perry's broader philosophy because amendments require the ratification of three-fourths of the states to be added to the Constitution.

7. Abortion should be made illegal throughout the country.

Like the gay marriage issue, Perry at one time believed that abortion policy should be left to the states, as was the case before the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. But in the same Christian Broadcasting Network interview, Perry said that he would support a federal amendment outlawing abortion because it was "so important...to the soul of this country and to the traditional values [of] our founding fathers."

I think that one resolute person with a firearm could have ended the recent London riots in minutes. Unfortunately, British authorities seem to favor the thugs and would have tried to prosecute lawful self-defense…hence the disclaimer.

I’ve considered myself a libertarian since before even learning what the word meant, as a teenager if I remember correctly. I’ve never, ever seen the logic in prohibiting consensual activity where there is no clear, self-identifying victim. I’ve never been a fan of anyone forcing their will upon another unless that person “started it” by forcing their will upon another and thereby violating the golden rule in the first place. And, of course, I’ve voted for Libertarian Party candidates and met with Libertarian activists.

But I will no longer call myself a libertarian.

The typical American, upon hearing the term will either not know what the political philosophy means (or what the party stands for), or they will dismiss the philosophy (or party) as being irrelevant. At the very least, they will dismiss it as being of little relevance.

And, keep in mind that politics pertains to government and that government, boiled down, is power and force. So, another way of saying that a political movement is of little relevance is to say that it is weak. And another way of saying that a movement is weak is to say that it is harmless.

Now I know some of you may be saying “Well, I want a harmless government. I want a weak government.” Well, so do I. I want as little government as possible, probably less government than you do. However, you’re not going to get a weaker, more harmless government by giving it an example to follow. You ain’t gonna get the bully to stop bullying by showing him just how cool it is to be a you-know-what.

And I know some of you may be saying that it’s a sell-out move to abandon a political philosopy in such a way, but I’m not abandoning the political philosophy. I still agree with its tenets as much as I always have, 100%. My issue is with what the word has come to mean. Just as the word “gay,” once upon a time meant “happy,” so too has the word libertarian been co-opted, from my vantage point anyway.

The biggest voices espousing libertarianism, I have discovered, seem to have an aversion to the idea that violence is an effective and necessary tool.

I’m contacting you about Dyerpalooza; this is a nationwide fundraiser and celebration for the American political dissident and fugitive Charles Dyer/aka July4Patriot. I know he’s not your regular beat but he had his home and all his exculpatory evidence burned the Friday before his court date, so rather than submit to being railroaded he’s on the run.

Tentatively it’s set for September 9th or 10th-don’t have a on site venue or internet venue either, but provided would you consider participating either where you’re at with cyberlink to the central node, or perhaps at the main venue?

Our twofold goal is to raise enough money to pay off the bond on the Dyer’s farm, their legal bills and to raise awareness on just how he’s been screwed-there’s a silence on the media as they want to murder him.

As you may know, Charles Dyer, known as “July4patriot” on Youtube, is now the subject of an FBI manhunt after failing to appear for trial in Oklahoma. News reports came in that he may be in the Sealy, Texas area, and now there are news reports stating that Charles Dyer may be in the area of Fort Bend County, Texas. Jay Stang, our Texas Vice President, lives in Sugar Land, which is in Fort Bend County.

Jay met Charles Dyer at the Oath Keepers rally on Lexington Green, April 19, 2009, and they became friends. They also happened to serve in the same unit in the Marine Corps, though not at the same time. Because Charles Dyer may be in the Houston Texas area, Jay Stang has offered to serve as a go-between to help Charles surrender peacefully, so he can go to trial.

Obama spreading "Democracy" around the world........=================================================

The dust has not yet settled over the Libyan capital of Tripoli since rebels took control over the weekend. But already, a draft constitutional charter for the transitional state has appeared online (embedded below). It is just a draft, mind you, and gauging its authenticity at this point is difficult. There is also no way to know whether this draft or something similar will emerge as the final governing document for a new Libyan regime.

As both the Morning Bell and Washington in a Flash noted today, Heritage Fellow Jim Phillips recently pointed out that Islamist forces “appear to make up a small but not insignificant part of the opposition coalition,” and must be prevented “from hijacking Libya’s future.” Parts of the draft Constitution allay those fears, while others exacerbate them.

Much of the document describes political institutions that will sound familiar to citizens of Western liberal democracies, including rule of law, freedom of speech and religious practice, and a multi-party electoral system.

But despite the Lockean tenor of much of the constitution, the inescapable clause lies right in Part 1, Article 1: “Islam is the Religion of the State, and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia).” Under this constitution, in other words, Islam is law. That makes other phrases such as “there shall be no crime or penalty except by virtue of the law” and “Judges shall be independent, subject to no other authority but law and conscience” a bit more ominous.

President Barack Obama is closely matched against each of four possible Republican opponents when registered voters are asked whom they would support if the 2012 presidential election were held today. Mitt Romney leads Obama by two percentage points, 48% to 46%, Rick Perry and Obama are tied at 47%, and Obama edges out Ron Paul and Michele Bachmann by two and four points, respectively.

If you traveled by air this summer vacation season, you probably experienced more than just the usual pre-flying jitters. Sheer anxiety afflicted many as they approached the security lines at airports, shoes in one hand, belts removed and their other hand clutching their clothes as they awaited their fate -- metal detector, pat-down line, or full body scanner, or even all three. The abuses committed by TSA agents are well known and would fill volumes -- from groping toddlers, the elderly and the terminally ill, to stealing, and of course, the routine trashing of Fourth Amendment rights, all the while real terrorists and suspicious characters slip through without a second glance. Everyone from congressmen to movie stars, beauty queens, and common folk are complaining and rightfully so, about the horrors of being “screened” for travel.

Congressman Ron Paul has a solution to the emotional trauma, verbal harassment, and sexual abuse inflicted on the traveling public by government agents -- the American Traveler Dignity Act of 2011, H.R. 2438. This little gem would make the TSA agents at every airport follow the law with regard to personal contact and radiation-emitting image taking and sharing. The abuses of civil liberties would stop immediately and the inalienable rights of citizens to be secure in their own persons without the government-agent manhandling we’ve seen of late would be restored.

No law of the United States shall be construed to confer any immunity for a Federal employee or agency or any individual or entity that receives Federal funds, who subjects an individual to any physical contact (including contact with any clothing the individual is wearing), x-rays, or millimeter waves, or aids in the creation of or views a representation of any part of an individual's body covered by clothing as a condition for such individual to be in an airport or to fly in an aircraft. The preceding sentence shall apply even if the individual or the individual's parent, guardian, or any other individual gives consent.

Congressman Paul once again has hit the nail on the head. When he re-introduced this piece of legislation in the 112th congress he stated “Time and time again we see the revolting pictures of federal screeners with their hands down the pants of children while parents watch helplessly in agony. We see elderly or disabled Americans being forced to endure all manner of indignity.” Furthermore, he added, “What we ultimately need is real privatization of security, but not phony privatization with the same TSA screeners in private security firm uniforms still operating under the ‘guidance’ of the federal government. Real security will be achieved when the airlines are once again in charge of protecting their property and their passengers.”

Keith Fancher went on his first alligator hunt Friday night. He came away with an 838-pounder -- the largest ever caught in one of Alabama's sanctioned gator hunts.

Fancher, of Shelby County, and six family members and friends on a pontoon boat caught the 14-foot, 2-inch long beast on the Alabama River in Dallas County, near Camden.

"That is the most excitement I think I've ever had in my entire life. . . . It was a blast," Fancher said. "To be able to share that experience with my family just added to it," he said.

J.C. Peeples, 40, lead animal control officer for Shelby County and Fancher's cousin, snagged the gator on the back of the head with the first pair of hooks from casting a fishing line about 9:30 p.m. Friday after spotting the gator in the river. Then the struggle began, Peeples said.

"He took us through trees and brush along the bank line," Peeples said. "It's definitely an adrenaline rush."

More than an hour later the seven-member crew was able to get the gator secured and finished off, Peeples said. "Without all seven of us, we would have never gotten this gator. . . . No one by themselves could."

Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries biologist Chris Cook, who witnessed the weigh-in, told Press-Register outdoor reporter Jeff Dute that the alligator was so big it stretched a backing cable on the scales. The cable had to be replaced.

The Minute Men are turning in their graves
Washington and Jefferson are crying tears of shame
To see these men who'd rather live as slaves
The Minute Men are turning in their graves

What's happened to our heritage what's happen to our pride
Since when do free Americans pull for the other side
Did we send food to Hitler's troops or praise the enemy
Did all our children die in vain defending liberty

The Minute Men are turning in their graves
Washington and Jefferson are crying tears of shame
To see these men who'd rather live as slaves
The Minute Men are turning in their graves

I can't condemn a man who feels that taking life is wrong
But I fail to understand a man that won't defend his home
Dear Lord I've got one little prayer I pray in years to come
Don't ever let those kind of people serve in Washington

The Minute Men are turning in their graves
Oh the Minute Men are turning in their graves
Oh the Minute Men are turning in their graves
Oh the Minute Men are turning in their graves...

I’m not talking about resignation, or just refusing to offer any proposals until after the next election. What if Obama simply decided not to run for a second term as President?

The thought occurred to me after reading Peggy Noonan’s piece this week for the Wall Street Journal, which argues that Obama has already quit in a practical sense:

The phrase of the day is “new lows.” It blares from every screen. The number of Americans satisfied with the ways things are going hits new lows—11%. President Obama’s popularity: new lows. The Dow Jones Industrial Average this year: new lows. Maybe it will enter ordinary language. “Charlie, it’s been ages. How are you, how’s Betty?” “I’m experiencing some volatility, but she’s inching toward new lows.”

The market is dispirited. I’m wondering if the president is, too, and if that won’t carry implications for the 2012 race. You can imagine him having lunch with political advisers, hearing some unwanted advice—”Don’t go to Martha’s Vineyard!”—putting his napkin by his plate, pushing back from the table, rising, and saying in a clipped, well-modulated voice: “I’m tired. I’m going. If they want this job so much let them have it.” …

The president shows all the signs of becoming a man who, around the time he unveils his new jobs proposal in September, is going to start musing in interviews about whether anyone can be a successful president now, what with the complexity of the problems and the forces immediately arrayed, in a politically polarized age, against any specific action. That was probably his inner rationale for not coming up with a specific debt-ceiling plan: Why give the inevitable forces a target? But his refusal to produce a plan became itself the target. Reverse Midas.

Under these circumstances he could not possibly be enjoying his job. On the stump this week in the Midwest, he should have been on fire with the joy of combat, he should have had them whooping and hollering with fresh material and funny lines. But even at his feistiest, he was wilted. Distracted. Sometimes he seems to be observing himself and his interactions as opposed to being himself and having interactions. His audiences wanted to show support, it was clear, that’s why they came. But there was something tentative in their response, as if they wanted to come through for the applause line but couldn’t figure out exactly where the applause line was. The president was dropping his g’s, always a terrible sign, a kind of bowing that assumes he speaks from a great height. He also started saying “folks” again. That too is a tell. It’s the word politicians who think they’re better and brighter than normal people use when they’re trying to make normal people think they’re normal.

Nothing says that Obama has to run for a second term in office. We have had Presidents walk away from opportunities to run for re-election. Prior to FDR, that would include every President who didn’t run for a third term, of course, but there are examples in the post-22nd Amendment era, too. Harry Truman was specifically exempted from the term limits imposed by the constitutional amendment but chose not to run for a second full term in 1952. Lyndon Johnson also chose not to run for his second full term in 1968. Both men made those choices at least in large part because they had become so unpopular that they clearly couldn’t win, especially LBJ. Another parallel to LBJ is the effect of having an unpopular war tied around a president’s neck.

Some will scoff at the notion that Obama and his large ego would walk away from the office, but LBJ was also rumored to think pretty highly of himself. It’s a low-probability outcome, but it isn’t a zero probability outcome. Obama’s ratings have tanked this year along with the economy, and he hasn’t come up with an original thought on economic policy since Porkulus. The leaks of his rumored plan sound a lot like Porkulus II, a sequel to a flop. This gives the impression that Obama has run out of ideas, and as Noonan argues in her piece, his attacks on Republicans for their supposed refusal to pass a plan he has yet to even submit to them sounds like a man who realizes that he’s out of ideas, too.

But the decision may end up being out of his hands if the political environment doesn’t improve. Obama’s numbers are plummeting in places Democrats can hardly afford to lose. In Pennsylvania, where Obama will top a ticket that also includes Bob Casey’s bid for a second Senate term, he’s either at 43% approval (Quinnipiac) or at 35% (Muhlenberg). Wisconsin turned Republican last year and a series of elections this year confirmed it, and Herb Kohl’s seat in the Senate is up for grabs. Obama can be expected to drag down the ticket in Virginia (James Webb’s seat is open), Florida (Bill Nelson), Ohio (Sherrod Brown), Maryland (Ben Cardin), and Michigan (Debbie Stabenow). Obama is underwater in New York and New Jersey already, two normally staunch Democratic states, both with Senate races on the line as well. If Obama runs at the top of those tickets, he might eke out victories in the two states, but his presence on the ticket will depress Democratic turnout and might endanger Kirsten Gillibrand and Robert Menendez; Democrats would almost certainly have to spend a ton of money to bolster them that they’d normally spend elsewhere.

Democrats will be looking at a massacre in the Senate, and that’s not even including already-endangered seats in Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, and New Mexico, which just elected its first Republican woman governor last year. Democrats could wind up losing enough seats to give Republicans a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate if Obama chases away the white working-class vote that he’s been alienating for the past two years on ObamaCare and now his disastrous economic performance. If unemployment starts rising and growth remains low in the next few months, Democrats may insist on Obama finding a graceful exit before the primaries.

And guess who that leaves with an open path to the Democratic nomination?

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 20% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-four percent (44%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -24 (see trends).

That matches the lowest Approval Index rating yet recorded for President Obama, a level previously reached just once last September.

As you may already be aware, the Russian FSB produces some gray propaganda under the pen name "Sorcha Faal."

Their department's most recent bit of hyperbolic dezinformatsaya was in an article over at the fairly wacky "What Does It Mean?" web site. (The web sites uses the dotted quad address: 207.58.165.85 -- which ironically is in McLean, Virginia!) There, they recently posted an article titled: "Obama Issues Secret Order For Military Raids On Civilians". It included an un-captioned photo showing some menacing-looking storm troopers in all black uniforms, sitting on the front of a military vehicle.

Well, guess what: That was MY military vehicle -- a Ferret Mark 4 Scout Car that I bought in the late 1990s, as part of my Y2K preps. In late 2002, I sold that vehicle, shortly before I moved back to the boonies. The pictured "storm troopers" were in fact some friends and acquaintances that were journeymen-level science fiction convention costumers and prop builders. In the summer of 2002, they asked me for permission to pose in their Aliens Colonial Space Marines costumes and also their black Jin-Roh Panzer Cops costumes, and I gladly consented. The photos were shot in the side yard of my Fremont, California home. The photo shoot was all great fun and the group thought that my Ferret made a great backdrop for their sci-fi fan photos. Little did I know that one of those digital images would be slurped up from the Internet nine years later to be used for Russian gray propaganda. (FYI, Jin-Roh was a Japanese anime "alternate history" series, with the premise that the Axis powers won WWII and that Germany then conquered Japan. Hence, they wore German "coal scuttle" helmets.)

"The problem with all these additional government jobs is that government spending does not create the economic growth needed to sustain private sector job growth."

As with all economic down turns, the one sector that does well is the federal government. The Picture of the Day for today shows an explosion of regulatory agency jobs in just the last year, while overall federal government jobs have rapidly multiplied with nearly a 12% increase while all other job sectors have dropped by about 7%.

That shows a growth in the federal government but it also brings up a troubling fact, one that is impossible to avoid in the debt and budget battles. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) touches on this fact with a recent op ed in the Wall Street Journal:

We know that our goal is to reduce spending. But we also know that America faces not just a budget deficit but also a jobs deficit. Nobody on this committee would be happy if we reduced the budget deficit but even more Americans end up losing their jobs.

The fact is, all those studies being paid for like shrimp on a treadmill and all that redundancy, duplication, and misuse of funds involves people working for a salary at the federal government.

In other words, to fix the debt, we have to lose jobs. To trim the debt down and reduce government spending to a sane and survivable level lots of federal jobs are going to be lost. That's an inevitable consequence of the federal government bloat over the last few decades; lots of new jobs added, each costing money. When you cut the spending, jobs will be lost. And because a lot of that debt was created by adding new jobs, the direct and obvious solution is to snip those jobs away.

And it gets worse. Blacks are disproportionately represented in government jobs. In fact, hiring blacks in federal jobs is so out of norm with the general population that NASA has the smallest over representation by only hiring 49% more blacks than are in the general population. Blacks make up about 10% of the United States population, but make up about 20% of the federal government jobs according to a 2010 study by the Office of Personnel Management.

So we're faced with a brutal dilemma: in order to lighten the pressure of the federal government on the economy and businesses so both can breathe and prosper, we're going to have to slash the government down in size which will result in many people losing jobs in a time of dire unemployment. And many of those lost jobs will be black jobs.

Now, which politician wants to stand up and actually do that? Which politician will vote and fight to slash jobs and fire lots of black people? And if that actually somehow takes place, what exactly do you think will happen in the press and in black America? How do you think that will be portrayed by a media which already is incredibly hostile to the idea of cutting anything in the federal government?

How do you think black activists and opportunists such as Al Sharpton will respond to something like that?

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Core Creek Militia

==============================My sixth great grandfather, his wife, and five of his six children were killed in battle with the Tuscarora Indians at Core Creek, NC.

The Seven Blackbirds

==============================My third great grandfather was an Ensign in the Revolutionary War, and saved his unit's flag after being wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. He was also at Kingston (Kinston), Wilmington, Charleston, Two Sisters and Augusta. He was at the defeat at Brier Creek and also Bee Creek.

Requiem Aeternam -
Eternal Rest Grant unto Them
==============================
My second great grandfather was killed in action on May 3, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
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My great grandfather and great uncle knew all the men in the "Civil War Requiem" video as they were part of the 53rd NC which was the sole unit defending Fort Mahone. (Fort Mahone was named "Fort Damnation" by the Yankees) *Handpicked men of the 53rd (My great grandfather was one of these) made the final, night assault at Petersburg in an attempt to break Grant's line. This was against Fort Stedman which was a few miles to the slight northeast. They initially succeeded, but reinforcements drove them back. This video is made from photographs which were taken the day after the 53rd evacuated the lines the night before to begin the retreat to Appomattox. I have many more pictures taken by the same photographer, one of these shows a 14 year old boy and the other is the famous picture of the blond, handsome soldier with his musket.
===========================
*General Gordon promised the men a gold medal and 30 days leave if they accomplished their task and many years after the War my great grandfather wrote General Gordon, who was then governor of Georgia about this incident. They exchanged several letters which I have framed. See first link below.
===========================
*The Attack On Fort Stedman
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"His Colored Friends"
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Lee's Surrender
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My Black NC Kinfolks
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Punished For Being Caught!

Great Grandfather Koonce

He was a drummer boy in the WBTS, survived the War only to die a few years later. He was caught in an ice storm on his way home, but instead of seeking shelter, continued on his horse until the end. His clothes had to be cut off and he died a few days later.

Thank you

I would just like you to know how so very glad I am that I found your blog. I have learned more history from you and the many links that you post than I have from reading all my history books. I can never thank you enough for the education you are freely giving me. It is priceless. And eye opening.

Many times I will not comment, but that does not mean I am not reading and learning.

You sir, are an educator. Thank you.

PhyllisWantage, NJ

Good morning Mr. Townsend,

Just to let you know I have finally finished that massive tome on General Lee. I never knew 1/10th of what a great man he was. No wonder the South is so proud of him! So sad that we have few men of his caliber today. We need them desperately. I have learned more history through you and your blog than I thought I could ever learn. I am very grateful to you. Thank you so much for taking time to answer my e-mail. And thank you for your blog and for opening my eyes.

PhyllisWantage, NJ

".......So good to hear from you! And also so pleased you are converting more of us Yankees! You have no idea how many people you have taught. And how many are so grateful to you for showing us the truth."

Your faithful friend,

Phylis

==============================

I have also learned from Brock Townsend and two nurses lately, that appreciation expressed by someone for whom you have great respect overwhelms the lack of appreciation by some from whom you expect it. I believe that we cannot really know which small bit of help makes the life-saving difference. ﻿

I have learned more history from you than all the years I was supposed to be in school (and not out hunting or fishing).

==============================

I really must say, I like thousands of others have said, your blog is the best out there and with all of your history and experience, you should run for *president. I look forward to reading your blog every day and every day I learn from you. Thank you for the time you put into this effort .

Sincerely,

Scott Fitts

*It would have to be an improvement. :) BT

==============================

Hi Brock,

Ever since I picked up on your blog I "Knew" you were a "Gentleman of the South!" You lack the "Crassness" that is so prevalent in today's Sociopolitical arena but speak with the Firmness in Truth and Conviction of Right like the words of our Late Great President Jefferson Davis! That is Honorable.

I have been thinking about this for a while now. At first it was a very subtle notice, then it became larger as I saw more. Then it bloomed to me to be what it is. In your writings, in your Blog, Brock, "You" have written, posted and done more to eradicate the "Revisionist History" forced on us by the "Northern Aggressors,"BAR NONE!!!" The "Stars and Bars" fly High and Proud today even more thanks to your efforts!

Reading your post on 03 JUNE about the birthday of President Jefferson Davis and the "quotes" of his was the galvanizing statement! The first words of "His" you posted say so much, are timeless and can never be "Destroyed!" by any man! .......and those words were........

"Truth crushed to the earth is still truth still and like a seed will rise again."--Jefferson Davis (1808-1889)

In so many ways you and your efforts to keep and carry on the "Truth of the South" are the water and light of the Sun that nourish "That Seed" that Jefferson Davis speaks of! That "Seed" of "Southern Truth!" That cannot be vanquished because of efforts like Men as yourself!

refzip.com

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